. The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. of reason asto diminish the number of his votaries, and preventtheir increase. So that I am satisfied, that, if he hadnever written anything he would have left behind hima much more numerous and important sect; and hisreputation might in that case have been still growingeven after his death; as, there being nothing of hiswriting on which to found a censure, and give him alower character, his proselytes would be left at libertyto attribute to him as great a variety of excellencesas their enthusiastic admiration might wish him tohave possessed.* * The fo
. The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. of reason asto diminish the number of his votaries, and preventtheir increase. So that I am satisfied, that, if he hadnever written anything he would have left behind hima much more numerous and important sect; and hisreputation might in that case have been still growingeven after his death; as, there being nothing of hiswriting on which to found a censure, and give him alower character, his proselytes would be left at libertyto attribute to him as great a variety of excellencesas their enthusiastic admiration might wish him tohave possessed.* * The following notices, selected from Franklins news-paper, the Fennsylvania Gazette, show that he was the firstpublisher of Whitefields writings: and they also containsome curious facts respecting the success of that eloquen*preacher, immediately after his arrival in America :— November 15th, 1739.—The Reverend Mr. Whitefield,having given me copies of his Journals and Sermons, withleave to print the same, I propose to publish them with all. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN 193 My business was now constantly augmenting, andmy circumstances growing daily easier, my newspaperhaving become very profitable, as being for a timealmost the only one in this and the neighbouring prov-inces. I experienced, too, the truth of the observa-tion, ^ that after getting the first hundred pounds^ it expedition, if I find sufficient encouragement. The Ser-mons will make two volumes, and the Journals two more ;which will be delivered to subscribers at two shillings foreach volume bound. Those, therefore, who are inclined toencourage this work, are desired speedily to send in theirnames to me, that I may take measures accordingly. November 29th.—On Friday last, Mr. AVhitefield arrivedhere with his friends from New York, where he preachedeight times. He has preached twice every day to greatcrowds, except Tuesday, when he preached at Germantown,from a balcony, to about five thousand people in the last nigh
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade18, booksubjectstatesmen, bookyear1895
